Posts Tagged ‘research institute’

Some modern day, self proclaimed, heresy hunters proclaim that Rev. E.W. Kenyon and Rev. Kenneth Hagin, considered fathers of the modern day “word of faith” movement brought in the teaching to the church, that Jesus had to die spiritually and went to hell, to remove our sins, and that Rev. E.W.Kenyon, got this teaching from the metaphysical cults, in the book Christianity in crisis, by Hank Hanegraaff, on pp164 quote from Christianity in crisis [of course, Kenneth Hagin taught this doctrine long before price was a force within Christianity, and Hagin followed Kenyon, who in turn got his information from the metaphysical cults! let us pause to get Hagin’s version of the teaching. (He (Jesus) tasted spiritual death for every man. and his
Spirit and inner man went to hell in my place. Can’t you see that? Physical
death wouldn’t remove your sins. He’s talking about tasting spiritual death.)]
end quote from Christianity in crisis.Now in this post I am not going to ask a person to believe or reject this teaching, that is not the point of this post, I believe that if a person believes in their heart that Jesus paid the full price for their sins, and lives as if he believes, and confesses with their mouth, that Jesus is their Lord, they are saved. You will notice that the word heart was in bold letters, I believe that there are a lot of people that have a head or mind knowledge that Jesus paid the full penalty for sins, but they do not really believe it in their heart or spirit, otherwise there would have been a noticeable change in their lifestyles. see Romans 10:9-10, and that does not mean that a born again Christian can not sin, we should certainly avoid sin but if we do sin of course we have 1 John 1:9 and 1 John 2:1.But here I would like to examine if Rev. E.W. Kenyon got this teaching from the metaphysical cults, or was this theology already within the Christian church, well before metaphysical cults came into being. I will show here, this teaching was already in the church theology, and church creed. Most of us probably have quick verse on our computers if you do, don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself, if it is there or not.What did John Calvin born 1509 say concerning Jesus entering hell and suffering spiritual torment there??INSTITUES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BOOK 2, CHAPTER 16, SECTION 8,HERE WE MUST NOT OMIT THE DESCENDT TO HELL, WHICH IS OF NO LITTLE IMPORTANCE TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF REDEMPTION!!! ……………….THIS MUCH IS UNCONTROVERTED, THAT IT WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL SENTIMENT OF ALL BELIVERS, SINCE THERE IS NONE OF THE CHURCH FATHERS WHO DOES NOT MENTION CHRIST’S DESCENT INTO HELL…….The chief thing to be attended to in the creed is, that it furnishes us with a full and every way complete summary of faith, containing nothing but what has been derived from the infallible word of God. But should any scruple to give it admission into the creed, it will shortly be made plain, that the place which it holds in a summary of our redemption is so important, that the omission of it greatly detracts from the benefit of Christ’s death.

section 10, But apart from the creed, we must seek for a surer exposition of Christ’s descent to hell, and the word of God furnishes us with one not only pious and holy, but replete with excellent consolation. nothing had been done if Christ had only endured corporeal death. In order to interpose between us and God’s anger, and satisfy his righteous judgment…………….not only was the body of Christ given up as the price of redemption, but that there was a greater and more excellent price-that he bore in his soul (spirit) the tortures of condemned and ruined man.

section 11, and certainly no abyss can be imagined more dreadful than to feel that you are abandoned, and forsaken of God, and not heard when you invoke him, just as if he had conspired your destruction. To such a degree was Christ dejected, that in the depth of his agony he was forced to exclaim, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?……………………Thus by engaging with the power of the devil, the fear of death, and the pains of hell, he gained the victory, and achieved a triumph, so that we now fear not in death those things which our Prince has destroyed. Section 13 Next follows the resurrection from the dead, without which all that has hitherto been said would be defective. For seeing that in the cross, death, and burial of Christ, nothing but weakness appears, faith must go beyond all these, in order that it may be provided with full strength. end of my quote from “institutes of the Christian religion”, by John Calvin.

Now in my own examination of book one chapter 16, sections 8-13 of “institutes of the Christian religion” by John Calvin, I find that his theology of this subject matter resembles the “word of faith” theology, on this subject matter, and the word of faith theology on this subject in no way resembles anything from the metaphysical cults.

Let us examine some of Hank Hanegraaff’s other books from the Christian research institute.

“the kingdom of the cults” by Walter Martin, actually Hank Hanegraaf is the general editor, he is also the current president of Christian research institute. To examine metaphysical beliefs we will have to look at chapter 11 “the new age cults”, they are the metaphysical cults. pp336 [quote] the god of the new age movement is not the God of the Bible. Marilyn Ferguson admits that in the emergent spiritual tradition (the new age movement) God is not the personage of our Sunday school mentality New agers usually define God as an impersonal force pervading all creation. [end quote] another words everything is god, you and I are god, as Shirley MacLaine proclaims. sin and satan pp339 [quote] anything is permissible for new agers because sin and evil, are not real. they are only illusions. [end quote]

anyone that is even vaguely familiar with word of faith teachings would clearly see that it is no way close to new age teachings, which according to the book (the kingdom of the cults)came into existence around 1875 pp336, which was long after John Calvin the church reformer of the 1500’s.

If a person wanted to examinine where E.W. Kenyon got some of his theology concerning healing, etc. I would recommend the book “E.W.Kenyon the true story” by Joe McIntyre, available at Rev. E.W.Kenyon’s books etc.

I do not believe in cessationism, which John Calvin brought into the church that doctrine, to see healing in the church history I would recommend the book “the healing reawakening, reclaiming our lost inheritance” by Francis MacNutt, which is another subject, looking at the writings of early church fathers they are filled with the truth on healing and miracles, after the apostles, I have first hand knowledge God has healed me. But back to Christian research institute, and Hank Hanegraaff, searching there web site and the www, I have been unable to find their “statement of faith” and beliefs, why would the so called “police” of Christianity not disclose fully what their faith or belief is???? I can only try to determine for myself their beliefs, by their criticism and condemnation and damnation of others. I believe they are Baptists or Methodist perhaps and cessationlist, I would hope the self proclaimed Christian police department, would clearly spell out what it is they believe. So perhaps the body of Christ could determine if we have any common ground for any unity and Love.